Voices Question

My students and I have been involved in different international projects. We have donated money to different organizations such as: UNICEF and The Red Cross to help victims of natural dissasters around the world. For two years, we joined forces with The Reebok Human Rights Student Advocacy Program. In this Program, students became human rights leaders to educate our community about Human Rights violations of child soldiers in Congo, Africa. We also worked with Play Pumps International to build a pump to bring clean water in Swaziland, Africa. This year, we are working with Smile Train to help children with clefts. It is an amazing experience!

Teachers are starved for knowledge, union leaders are desperate to support their members, and they are all fighting for every penny they can get to support their educational system. Sound familiar? This same scenario is playing itself out around the world and I recently returned from Yemen where the situation is very similar. As part of a group that completed training for the AFT International Affairs Dept., we worked with local unions in the capital of Sana'a and in the Southern port city of Aden. As a National Trainer for ER&D, I was proud to be able to provide quality professional development to a nation that so desperately needs it.

For the past three years I have organized the "Any Serviceman" campaign here at school. With this project we collect items that have been requested by our young men and women serving in war zones throughout the world. I then package these items up, fill out the customs forms and ship them. So far, our school has collected and shipped over a ton and a half of items, packed into over 200 packages and shipped to 35 units of all branches of the military in three countries and aboard ships. The picture shows this year's (2009)effort.

I have run the Temple University Summer Abroad Program each year in India in a rural community in the Province of Gujarat for the past 10 years. I have run a school in the salt desert called the Rann for a few years after the earth quake of 2000.Students undergrad and grad have gone on to PhD programs, law school medical school and into media and art and music fields after the program. It is most gratifying to see how talented and sensitive students are and now engaged and responsible they become with regard to global issues after this immersion in a different culture.

I am a Catholic. Most dioceses collect offerings during the church year that go to international charities. Also, some Family Christian Center stores are sponsoring a WorldVision project called ChildSponsorship. For $15 a mth one can sponsor a child in a 3rd world country that will keep that child in school and sponsor AIDS prevention programs in their village.There are several children's pictures to choose from. I chose Rachel from Zimbabwe because her birthday is on the same day as my son's; and also because the younger children usually get chosen first. She is only 8 yrs old. (8 is considered old there) I urge everyone to participate.

The Multicultural Council of America has been promoting world cultures, health & educational programs within America and overseas. We have established health services in Haiti & Dominican Republic. Besides financial support, we need volunteers who are interested in learning, collaborating and helping the unfortunate ones overseas or to setting up local chapters of the Multicultural Council in their area. Please visit our website at www.multiculturalcouncil.org and contact us at info@multiculturalcouncil.org

I am a 16 year breast cancer survivor and founder of Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa Inc.(BCIEA Inc.) Web site:www.breastcancerafrica.org This is a 501 (c, 3, non-profit, tax exempt organization dedicated to ensure that no breast cancer patient faces this disease fearfully and helplessly alone. I go to East Africa every summer to increase awareness/education about this disease. BCIEA is promoting a fundraising campaign for a mobile mammogram unit. In this region breast cancer is one of the neglected diseases and women die untreated for lack of medical services. Our Motto is: "Early Detection Is the Best Protection"

I have taught overseas, conducted research overseas, and speak several foreign languages. My current interest is in the successful, and long history of success among, German co-determination, a method of unionized labor working under formal rules to share in governance of their workplaces... not just in work councils on the shop floor, but in senior-level strategies. We need to be doing that in our colleges and universities, especially the workhorse part-time faculty carrying the water and hewing the wood. We are better organized the past two years and getting our CB agreement to reflect movement toward that co-determination ideal.

I work with a lot of people in the Haitian community. I am a voice teacher and a musical consultant. Some of my students had family there. I actually asked many of them which organizations to donate money to, to ensure that most of it went to supplies and food that they desperately needed.

The club that I sponsor, The Miami Jackson Junior Civitan Club is registers with Junior Civitan/Civitan international club. We are presently collecting for Haiti. We also are involved in the fight for breast cancer, and the world enviroment. We are committed to our community, the nation, and the world.

I, too, coordinated a Pennies for Peace campaign at my school this year. I am convinced by Greg Mortenson (Three Cups of Tea and Stones Into Schools) that we can win over terrorism through books, not bombs, and that the key is to educate girls. I will continue my passion through creating awareness and educating those with whom I work and meet. I also value the empowerment the children feel when they are able to help by donating just one penny.

I participate in US-UK Trade Union Women's Leadership Network, sponsored by Rutgers Center for Women and Work, Queen Mary University of London, NJ AFL-CIO and the Leverhulme Trust. We are entering our second year. UK visited NJ in March 2009, and NJ visited UK in June 2009. We work to develop the leadership potential of members as a model for our unions. Also worked until assuming union office as a professional translator/interpreter for many union and human rights organizations, as well as private clients. Travelled to Mexico with Rutgers Labor Studies delegation to Coalition for Justice in the Maquiladoras.

I am celebrating the bicentennials of Mexico, Venezuela, Chile, and Argentina with my retirement trip, rumboalsur2010.com-- number 34. I'm also doing a little bit with school exchanges --five packets of artwork to deliver on the way. I think this ties in very appropriately with my school--Academy of the Americas, Detroit Public Schools.

The P.S. 75X UFT Social Committee rolled into action. Mayra Collazo collected the donations from all members of the staff in an effort to support the United Federation of Teachers initiative. Ms Sharon Tirado and Ms Gisella Montalvo were able to assist as plans were made to make this event a success. And the final donation of $920.00 was delivered to UFT Headquarters by Sophia Austin, UFT Delegate on Wednesday, January 20, 2010. P.S. 75X pulls out all stops when it is time to support a good cause. And their contribution to the Haitian earthquake victims is only one example of a job well done! Phyllis C. Murray, Chapter Leader

I teach international business and economics along with participating in curriculum development for similar new coursework in this state. As electronic delivery of instruction continues to spread, it is only a matter of time before our corporatized schools will outsource this service, so that our part-time (disposable) faculty will be at risk -- graduate students and semi-retired professsionals. We have extremely valuable human capital, deserving of steady jobs and equitable pay. University and college educations are the US engine of growth and we are its horsepower; we need to keep our jobs here.

Thru the NEA Peace & Justice Caucus I have supported the building of schools in Chiapas(raising $) & I have learned much about conditions there. In addition I have recently received training to become a presenter on Fair Trade which is a major effort supported by NYSUT. My first presentation will be in May before retirees. I anticipate eventual travel to see the results of these efforts. In yrs past I helped raise funds for education for women & girls in Afghanistan.

I lead a study abroad program to Lima, Peru every summer, 5 weeks, first summer session. Austin Community College students receive 6 hours of Anthropology credit. The program takes place at the University of San Martin in Lima, Peruvian students also participate in the class. In the morning we have class, and in the afternoon we take field trips to museums, archaeological sites, markets, and other activities. ACC students see the world from a different perspective, make friends in a foreign country, and broaden their life experiences. Peruvians get to know North American students as real people, not just as tourists or from the media.

Peace Corps 75-78, Science/Math Teacher Kathonzweni Kenya; Teacher Lincoln International School Kampala, Uganda 90-96 Constructed health clinic with students and community labor, built clinic to wall plate outside non-profit provided roofing, doors & windows. We made all the the bricks ourselves. Local fundi's constructed brick walls, etc.

Very proud to have successfully introduced a resolution in my local to join AFT and oppose the Bush war on Iraq. Also, I introduced a resolution to our Executive Board and Delegate Assembly opposing the Free Trade Agreement between the US and Colombia.

I have participated twice on the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program www.jetprogramme.org) from 90-93 and 03-04. I have served as president and was active for years in the Council for Int'l Concerns of SW Louisiana. I rent rooms in my house to international students studying at the local university. I advocate for and sponsor international students to get an F1 visa. I teach ESL. I have organized trips and chaperoned students to Quebec and France. I have just been elected 2nd VP of the LaTESOL (www.latesol.org) I want to work in another country in an administrative and/or teaching capacity.

I have been involved with the international relief agency Action Against Hunger. Last school year, we raised $1100. This year we are hoping to increase the needed funds.

Participated as an international observer in elections in Chile and South Africa. Was a delegate to conferences and conventions of the International Federation of Free Teachers Unions and Education International. From 1983 to the present I helped to develop and continue to work with an AFT endorsed program for preparing teachers of the holocaust . Participated in international worker/ education conferences in SE Asia and Germany. Met with scores of teachers and union leaders from dozens of countries who visited our unions and education establishments.

Yes. I have been a parent for exchange students from abroad on two occasions. I travel extensively. I have applied for a Fullbright Scholarship on four occasions but never made it to an interview. I teach at an inner city school with numerous students from around the world and I am the only Geography teacher that teaches ELL students.

Studied Canadian, NZ and Australian unions and unionism for reasons why they are stronger and we are weaker.

I am a lifelong member of Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, Israel. I am a proud zionist woman who supports the cause of the Jewish people.